Hello and welcome! My name is Gabriella Baraks and I am a graduate student studying biomedical engineering at Stony Brook University. I am a part of the five year accelerated B.E./M.Sc. program interested in cellular and molecular BME concepts. Whilst completing my Bachelor’s of Engineering degree, and now as I continue with my Master’s of Science degree, I am working as a research assistant in the department of pathology as a part of Dr. Kenneth Shroyer’s research group. In this lab group, we work as a team to investigate the mechanistic roles of the biomarker keratin 17 (K17) in driving cancer aggression. I am now leading my own project in this lab to determine what cause this biomarker to transform from a normal cell into a malignant cell in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, such that I am exploring what proteins are up/downregulated relative to K17 expression.

Upon graduation in May 2023, I want to obtain a position working in industry. I have previous experience working in both, academia and industry, but would like to work at company which would allow me to work on projects that would have a direct impact on its consumers.

Aside from graduate school and work, I enjoy traveling and eating, where I love trying different cuisines. A fun fact about me is that I have a food blog where I post about my different dining experiences with the public!